Repairs have begun at Auckland's Chancery shopping precinct, which has been suffering leak problems.

Contractors have erected scaffolding on the exterior of level one on the Courthouse Lane side of the complex, opposite the Metropolis apartment block.

In 2009, a report by building consultant Alexander and Co showed extensive repair work was needed but the work has only just begun three years later.

Chancery managers Colliers International said the precinct's body corporate appointed Arrow Remediate to manage the job, which will include improvements to the open-air courtyard, repainting the buildings and work to the facade of one of the precinct's three buildings.

Dennis Dowling of Arrow Remediate said workers were being mobilised for the job but structures needed to be under protective covers before the real work could begin.

The job will begin in earnest later this month and Mr Dowling said it should be finished around March but would cost less than the $12 million originally estimated.

Water intrusion had not affected the buildings' viability and they were still structurally sound, he said.

The complex has a number of leaky building risk factors, including monolithic cladding and complicated design and roof details. It was designed by Ignite architects of Parnell and is owned by a number of investors.

Gareth Fraser of Colliers said the centre would be refurbished to restore it to a prominent CBD retail and commercial precinct.

"Chancery is now approaching 12 years old so the time is right to give the precinct a new lease on life. The body corporate is therefore implementing a programme of refurbishment works which should be completed in time for this coming summer," he said.

Chancery's developers were Richard Kroon and Brian Mead's Westmark Group and Mark Lyon's Mission Corporation. The precinct was built by Multiplex Constructions (NZ), renamed Brookfield Multiplex.